Our Little World

“Our Little World” by Karen Winn

Published by Dutton

Finished 4/27/22 – 3/5 stars

 

This is a coming-of-age novel centered around sisters, Bee and Audrina, growing up on a cul-de-sac in New Jersey during the mid-80s, before the internet and cell phones.  A time when kids were free to play outside without a care in the world.  Until one day, Sally, the 4 year-old girl that lives across the street disappears from the lake.  Did she drown?  Was she taken?  They were there with her brother, Max, but no one saw where Sally went.  That afternoon forever changes them and their relationships with friends and each other.  There are other events that change their childhood as well, none seem to be for the better.  I found it to be, overall, just a depressing story.  I do think it’s fairly well written, especially considering this is the author’s debut novel, but I felt it dragged at times.

 

 Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for gifting me with an advanced copy to read and provide an honest review.

 

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Watch Out for Her

 “Watch Out for Her” by Samantha M Bailey

Published by Simon & Schuster

Finished 4/19/22 – 3/5 stars

This book is told in alternating perspectives during two different timelines – then and now.  It is the story of Holly, a girl in her early 20s who has dropped out of medical school and starts babysitting for a local family.  And Sarah, the mother of the boy she’s babysitting.  Both are trying to essentially restart their lives, but both have issues getting in their way.  Something happens causing Sarah and her family to move across the country. What exactly that is, is the unknown.  You can make some assumptions but won’t know for sure until the end.

I enjoyed this book but feel it would have been better as a novella.  It dragged in a few places and seemed a little repetitive at times.  Although it’s already not a long book, I think if it were shorter, it would have been much better.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for gifting me with an advanced copy to read and provide and honest review (if I choose).

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Pachinko

 

“Pachinko” by Min Jin Lee

Published by Grand Central Publishing

Finished 4/13/22 – 4/5 stars       

 I’ve had this book on my shelf for 4 ½ years.  I don’t know why it took the mini-series to come out for me to finally pull it down to read, but I’m glad it did.  Not only was it an enjoyable read, but I also learned a little Korean and Japanese culture and history.  One of the benefits of reading historical fiction is that you tend to get more of a “personal” insight into historical events that you don’t get from reading a textbook. 

 This novel is a multi-generational story that takes place between 1910 and 1989, beginning in Korea and then moving to Japan.  The majority of the story revolves around one family but there are a few offshoot characters with mini storylines as well.  There is love and loss, struggles and accomplishments, and battles with both inner demons and real-life bullies.  It’s not a page-turner but it keeps your attention.  I definitely recommend it.

 Now I’m off to go watch the show 😊

 

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